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Karen O’Dell[/caption]Karen O’Dell, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born March 15, 1958, in Painesville, Ohio to Al and Marlene Denton Walker.
On October 5, 1974, she married Mike O’Dell, the love of her life. After starting their family in Tampa, Florida, they relocated to Green Forest to raise their two children and to be close to family.
Karen was an artist to her core, and worked as a woodcarver at Silver Dollar City and led a craft center at Camp War Eagle, a Christian summer camp. She loved children, and she loved making sure they knew that Jesus loved them.
While living in Green Forest, she worked at a preschool and at the school, and she volunteered in preschool class and youth group at First Assembly of God Church in Berryville. Combining her love for the arts, her love for kids, and her love for Jesus made working at Camp War Eagle a job that was a dream come true. They eventually relocated to Little Flock so she could be close to Camp War Eagle. Most of all, Karen loved her family, and spending time together with them was a joy. Every holiday and every birthday, she would have some kind of craft or messy project for the family to gather around.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Al and Marlene Walker.
She is survived by her husband, Mike O’Dell of the home; son, Bryan O’Dell and wife Shaanti of Berryville; daughter, Amy Davis and husband Shannon of Cassville, Missouri; grandchildren, Brett O’Dell, Bryce O’Dell, Jaycie Ertel, Kenzie Davis and Torrance Davis; and brother, Mickey Walker and family of Florida.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, July 23 at 5:00 p.m. at Church on the Hill (First Assembly of God) in Berryville. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to the Bentonville Circle of Life Hospice. Cremation services are under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home in Green Forest. Online condolences can be made at smithfamilyfuneralhome. net.
